Andrew Walker – God and the Transgender Debate

October 16, 2017

In an interview with Warren Cole Smith, Andrew Walker discusses his book “God and the Transgender Debate: What the Bible actually says about gender identity.” Walker defines terms such as “transgender,” “gender,” and “gender dysphoria,” discusses the biblical view of God’s creation of humanity as male and female, and gives advice for churches dealing with the issue.

This interview originally aired on “Listening In,” a program of WORLD Magazine. For more on “Listening In,” click here.

Comment Policy: Commenters are welcome to argue all points of view, but they are asked to do it civilly and respectfully. Comments that call names, insult other people or groups, use profanity or obscenity, repeat the same points over and over, or make personal remarks about other commenters will be deleted. After multiple infractions, commenters may be banned.

Phoenix1977

“Walker defines terms such as “transgender,” “gender,” and “gender dysphoria,””
And, unless Andrew Walker is a psychiatrist, psychologist or any other type of medical health care professional his “definitions” mean absolutely nothing.

Mike Johnson

In the podcast Walker uses definitions offered by those in the medical field. But either way, where definitions come from or the occupation of the person making a claim are completely irrelevant to the merit of the claim—you’re committing a Genetic Fallacy, or a fallacious argument from authority.

Phoenix1977

“a fallacious argument from authority.”
Yes, because who on earth wants a definition for a medical situation made by medical professionals?

“Medical professionals don’t know everything Phoenix. You should realize that.”
Trust me, I realize that on a daily basis. However, we do know more about medical affairs than people who did not attend medical school for almost a decade, have a PhD in medicine and then completed residency.

Tyler

The challenge then is to apply that logic equally. Students in Gay-Straight Alliances don’t know hardly anything about the medical ins and outs of this issue. So they shouldn’t talk about it. Most of our elected officials are in the same boat. So there goes any new laws or governmental policies on this issue. Celebrities are certainly right out as well.

Phoenix1977

I agree completely on your statements about politicians. All they know is how to work hard to get re-elected, which shows in everything they do.

Tyler

That’s my main point that you’ve missed though. Equally applied, no one who isn’t a doctor (in your view) should have anything to say about this issue. That goes for politicians for and against, high school students for and against, and celebrities, for and against. However, (and again in the spirit of fairness), we tend to try to silence those we disagree with based on their lack of authority on the issue, but ignore that lack of authority if someone agrees. Your statements appear to follow this fallacious line of reasoning, that was my point. On the other hand, I’m glad people of all stripes have differing opinions and are free to express them, regardless of their medical authority, but also as long as the argument makes sense or there’s an openness to discussion. Your MO appears to be, “you don’t get to talk about this unless you agree with me, or you’re a doctor. And if you’re a doctor who disagrees with me, then you’re not a good doctor.”

Scott

And if two medical professionals disagree, we turn our focus back to the merit of each claim… where it should be regardless of who is making it.

You make many claims outside of your chosen profession, do they mean absolutely nothing?

Phoenix1977

“And if two medical professionals disagree, we turn our focus back to the merit of each claim… where it should be regardless of who is making it.”
No, than you still listen to the person who knows most about it.

“You make many claims outside of your chosen profession, do they mean absolutely nothing?”
I make claims on things I know about. Things I have information on and things I have studied or things I have experienced. I don’t make claims about things I know nothing about or claims that go against people who actually do know what they are talking about.

So, again, Andrew Walker should stick with what he knows best and let medical professionals handle medical situations.

Scott

“So, again, Andrew Walker should stick with what he knows best and let medical professionals handle medical situations.”

Right, because you know that Andrew Walker doesn’t:

“…make claims on things I know about. Things I have information on and things I have studied or things I have experienced. I don’t make claims about things I know nothing about or claims that go against people who actually do know what they are talking about.”

Tyler says it very well in his post below. Sorry Phoenix, not buying it. : – )

Donna Ricci

Very interesting interview. As a believer in Christ, I appreciate the approach to this conversation to start from the view of the Bible- God is unchangeable and His Word is Truth. Thank you from starting from the beginning. In Christ, we are looking at the reality of who we are and all that He created us to be.. Insightful look at this movement related to the Gnostic beliefs.